Atomizer



Abril 22, 1952 A. J. LoEPslNGER 2,594,045

ATOMIZER Filed May l, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l F119; am l Fig. 'E

+4 V fob IN V EN TOR.

A. J. LOEPSINGER ATOMIZER April 22, 1952 Filed May l, 1948 2SHEETS-SHEET 2 fbg /Oq @of fi .P

INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 22, 1952 ATOMIZER Albert J. Loepsinger, Providence, R. I.,assignor to Grinnell Corporation, Providence, R. I., a

corporation of Delaware Application May .1, 1948,` Serial No. 24,489

This invention relatesto improvements in an atomizer. More especially ithas todo with an atomizer of the type disclosed in myLetters Patent No.2,173,072 granted on September 12, 1939.

In the atomizer of the aforesaid patent there is a pair of concentricapertures or orifices for discharge of a rluid and a liquid so as toeffect atomizaton of the latter, and movable means actuated in onedirection by the fluid pressure to open both apertures and moved in the-opposite direction by resilient means to close both apertures. Morespecically the liquid nozzle moves into the uid orice to clean and closeit while a cleaning rod is simultaneously moved to clean and close theorice of the liquid nozzle. This positive closure oi both orices,especially the liquid orifice, insures no inadvertent discharge of theliquid when the atomizer becomes inactive. Field experience has shown,however, that it is not necessary to have a movable clean ing rod of thesame size as the liquid orifice and to have it withdrawn from the orioewhile the atomizer is discharging. Indeed, it vhas been found preferableto have a cleaning rod which is somewhat smaller than the orifice and tohave it remain stationary in the orifice while discharge occurs. Sincethis cleaning rod remains fixed in position and the liquid nozzle movesforward away from it, when discharge ceases, the liquid orifice is notclosed upon the atomizer becoming inactive. This presents the problem ofinsuring against inadvertent discharge' of liquid through the orificeafter the fluid pressure'has been cut ol and the movable parts of theatomizer have assumed their closed positions.

It is among the objects of the present invention, while retaining in theimproved atomizer many of the desired features of the prior patenteddevice, to simplify the movable meansyto improve the atomized dischargeand, despite the fact that the liquid orilce is not closed whenatomization stops, to insure that no inadvertent emission of the liquidwill occur.

The best mode in which it has been contemplated to apply the principlesof my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings but these are tobe taken as merely illustrative because it is intended that the patentshall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims whateverfeatures of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section (taken as on line I-l ofFigure 5) of the pres claims. (c1. 299-4149) ferred 'embodiment of myinvention., the parts being shown in their relative positions when theatomzer is inactive;

'Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but with many ofthe parts shown inelevation and in their relative positions when the atomizer is inoperation; i

Figure' 3 is a partial section, on an enlarged scale, showing thedetails of the discharge end of the atomizer; and their possiblerelative positions when the atomizeris active;

Figure 4 is a View of the orifice plate, looking in the 'direction ofthe arrows 4 shown in Figure 3;

lFigure 5 is a front elevation of the improved atomizer;

Figure 6 is a partial horizontal, longitudinal section'taken as on line6-6 of Figure 5; the parts being in their relative positions` when theatomizer is inactive;

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the atomizer looking in the direction ofthe arrows 'I shown in Figure l; and i Figure 8 is a vertical sectiontaken as on line 8--8 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved atomizercomprises a casing I0, generally of cylindrical conguration, with asleeve nut I2 at the forward or discharge end and with a cap nut I4 atthe opposite end. The casing has an offset portion Illa on one side witha threaded stem to which a pipe I5 may be attached leading from a supplyof fluid under pressure, and having another ofiset portion IIlb on thebottom of the casing to which another pipel I6 may be secured leadingfrom a source of the liquid to be atomized. When the atomizer is usedfor humidication purposes the liquid supplied is usually water and theiluid for atomizing the water is usually compressed air. It is to beunderstood, however, that the fluid under pressure may in some instancesbe a gas other than air, and indeed maybe a liquid. Although the liquidto be atomized is generally :not under other than atmospheric pressure,being drawn through the atomizer by aspirating effect, this liquid mayalso be supplied under pressure provided the pressure is of alesserdegree than that of the aforesaid fluid.

The forward or discharge end ol the casing (see Figs. 3 and 4) has athreaded externally reduced portion IOC, on which is screwed the sleevenut I2, having a concaved or dished surface I 2a with a central openingv12b. This cap nut clamps a ria-nge Illa of a fluid orifice plate i3against the front edge of the body, there being a raised ring |20 aroundthe inner face of the cap nut which engages the front or outer face ofthe plate. The inner face of the plate is gently tapered, as at |327,from an outer flat annular' ring surface |80 to an inner fiat annularring surface |811 from whence the surface tapers rather sharply as at|8e to a relatively thin edge |8f which' constitutes a short horizontalwall around a xed orifice |89' at the center of the plate. A series ofcross-slots or grooves |811 are provided around the outer portion of theinner face of the plate for a purpose to be described later herein. 4

Within the casing is a movable element 20, in the form of a piston,having a nice sliding fit with the inner cylindrical wall of the casing.At its forward end, the outer surface of the piston is reduced at Zta toreceive a suitable lubricating ring 22 which is held in place against' aradial shoulder 20D by a retainer sleeve 24 which in turn is engaged bya liquid nozzle 25. This nozzle has a threaded stem 26a which is screwedinto a central or axial bore or ypassageway Zlio extending through thepiston.l At its forward end the nozzle also has a stem 26C with aportion 26d whose external diameter is` substantially the same as thatof the -little horizontal wall |8f around the edge of the xed orifice|8g. v

ceis made use of in positioning the plate IB. With the nozzle forwardand projecting somewhat from the casing the plate I3 is placed on thenozzle with the wall |82c around the portion 25d. The sleeve nut i2isvthen applied against the plate, and pushed towardlthe casing untilthe nut can be screwed-onto the portion luc. As the nut is tightened theengagement of the wall |8f with the portion 26d maintains the plate inits proper position.

Near the front edge of this stem 25e the external diameter is reducedtoprovide a cylindrical portion 26e which is smaller than the fixedorifice so that when the liquid nozzle is retracted, as shown in Figure3, there will be an annular opening |81' between this reducedcylindrical portion 26e of the stem and the edge It is through this an-|8f of the fixed orifice. nular opening |81' that the fluid underpressure is discharged when the atomizerI is in operation. When thefluid pressure is cut off, and the liquid nozzle moves forward to theposition shown in Figs. l and 6 the inclined shoulder 26f between thetwo cylindrical portions 26e and 26d of the stem wipes along the wall|8f of the xed orice and removes any dirt, lint or other foreign matterthat may have temporarily collected on this wall.

- The forward stem 25e of thel liquid nozzle has a cylindrical bore 26gthrough it which enlarges to a somewhat larger bore 26h through .therearward stem 26a of the nozzle. Within these bores, and extendingthrough the longitudinal passageway 20c in the piston is a solidcleaning rod 28 whose forward end is of slightly less diameter than thatof the bore 26g through the forward stem 25C of the nozzle. The frontend of this rod is somewhat rounded-over and its tip is locatedsubstantially in the plane of the forward edge of the liquid nozzle 26.Thus there is provided between'the rod 28 and the forward portion 26e ofthe liquid nozzle a relatively thin annular passageway- Zei from whichthe liquid emerges as a hollow jet with its thin annular stream in closeproximity to the thin annular stream of the fluid under pressure issuingfrom the annular opening |311 As these two streams intermingle theliquid is broken up into exceedingly fine particles and projected intothe atmosphere as a very fine fog-like discharge. This discharge isremarkably uniform in density and the minute liquid particles arerapidly entrained by the air.

When the fluid pressure is cut off the liquid nozzle moves forward tothe position shown in Figs. 1 and 6. As seen in Fig. 1, this leaves theorifice of the liquid nozzle open. Compared to the' feature of theatomizer of my aforesaid patent which resides in the positive closure ofboth orifices upon the atomizer becoming inactive, this open liquidorifice of the improved atomizer might seen to be a disadvantage andenable undesired discharge to occur. Indeed this would happen if theliquid supply were to enter the casing at the rear of the piston as itdoes in the atomizer of my prior patent. But to avoid any suchinadvertent discharge, the inlet |0d from the liquid supply is locatedforward ofthe rear end of the piston 2li, in a portion of the casing.wall along which the piston moves;fin both directions of its travel. Aswill presently appear this not only effects clo sure of the liquid inletwhen the atomizer becomes inactive, but enables a condition createdrearward of the piston to be used with advantage.

Near the rear end of the piston or movable element 2D. is an externalgroove 26d extending around the piston and from it a series of cross orradial passageways 20e lead to the axial bore of main passageway 29Cthrough the piston. When the piston is retracted and the atomizer is inoperation this groove Elld, constituting a part of the liquidpassageway, is in register with the inlet ld to the body from the liquidsupply. This liquid is drawn from the pipe I6 through the bore of theoffset IEJIJ and the inlet ldinto the groove 29d and thence through thebranch passageways 25e into the main passageway 20c of the piston. Itthen ows along the annular space 26i between the rod 28 and the adjacentwall 26g of the nozzle to emerge in a relatively thin annular stream asalready described.

The piston is held retracted by the fluid pressure effective on itsforward end. This uid pressure :flows from the pipe l5 through apassageway |0e (see Fig. 6) in the offset Id into the casing, or moreparticularly into a charnber If between the piston and the oriflce'plateI8. The nice sliding fit between the piston and the wall of the casingnormally prevents escape ofthe fluid rearward Yaround the piston but if`any should inadvertently leak rearward it enters a space |09 providedby a reduced portion 2Uf on the piston and escapes from the atomizer viaa vent hole 30 in the casing.V This reduced portion 20j of the pistonhas flattened faces 20g whereby the piston (when removed from the body,of course) may be gripped by a wrench while the liquid nozzle 26 isscrewed into or unscrewed from the piston.

The rear end of the piston seats against a lock nut 32 that is screwedonto the cleaning rod 28 just ahead of where the rod itself is screwedinto an enlarged head 34a of an adjusting screw 3ft. The threaded shankor stem of this screw extends through and in threaded engagement with asleeve nut 39. This latter has an externally threaded cylindricalportion Sta. which screws into the internally threaded rear end of thebody I0, until firmly seated against a shoulder IML. A rearwardlyprojecting portion 35h .of `the sleeve nut is partly internally threadedfor engagement with the adjusting screw 34, and its rear face provides aseat for a lock nut 3S on the extended stem of the adjusting screw.Between the forward face of the sleeve nut and a part of the rear faceof the piston, within another chamber |01', is a spring 49 undercompression and constantly urging `the movable parts forward in thecasing. The force of this spring is such that it is overcome by thepressure of the fluid when the latter is admitted to the forward sectionIf of the body chamber. At the rear of the body the cap nut I4 isremovably screwed into the end of the casing back of the sleeve nut 365.

When the atomizer is inactive, the liquid nozzle 26 is forward closingthe orifice ig in plate I8 against the flow of any duid and the piston20 is likewise forward with the surface 2th near its rear end closingthe inlet ind lfrom the liquid supply. The end of the rod 28 is thensomewhat rearward of the end of the nozzle as sho-wn in Fig. 1. Upon thefluid pressure being turned on, usually by some control apparatus remotefrom the atomizer, it enters the chamber Idf forward of the piston,passes through the cross grooves |871, in the back of the orice plateand thus becomes effective on substantially the entire forward end ofthe piston. The force of the uid pressure overcomes the force of thespring 4i! and causes the movable part-s to travel rearward until theend of the piston seats on the lock nut 32. The relative movementbetween the liquid nozzle and the rod 28 enables the latter to act withsome cleaning effect and dislodge dirt or particles which may havegathered in the nozzle.

The rearward movement of the liquid nozzle opens the annular dischargespace lii of the fixed orifice permitting the fiuid to flow outward inan annular stream and set up immediately an aspirating effect in theinner annular space 251' between the nozzle and the cleaning rod. Theliquid can be promptly drawn through this space 2612 because therearward movement of the piston Ibrings its external groove 2M inregister with the inlet IIld for the liquid supply. The liquidaccordingly enters the groove Ziid and passes thence through the branchpassageways 20e into the bore of the piston whence it travels forwardthrough the annular space 'Ati around the rod to be discharged asalready described.

It is to be noted that the improved atomizer, like the atomizer of myaforesaid prior patent, can be adjusted while it is discharging. Withthe end cap I4 removed and the lock nut 38 loosened, the adjusting screw3d can be rotated to effect movement of the liquid orifice with respectto the fixed fluid orice. With a suitable pressure and supply of fluid anice adjustment of the liquid orifice can be made, the result thereofdetermined as it is eifeoted, and the desired fog-like dischargeattained with maximum eiciency.

Upon the shutting off of the fluid pressure, the spring 49 becomeseffective to push the movable parts forward until the flat face of theliquid nozzle 26 brings up against the rear side of the orice plate I8.During this forward movement of the part the shoulder 25j on the nozzlewipes the wall If of the fluid orifice thus cleaning it as the largerportion Zd of the front stem on the nozzle enters and closes Athe fiuidorifice 118g. The same forward movement of the piston moves the groove23d out of register with the liquid inlet ld and brings the outersurface 20h of the piston overthe inlet to close it tight. If `thisliquid inlet Id were located rearward of v,the piston (as in my priorpatented atomizer) so that ,it were always open to the chamber I-i inthe casing, then upon the piston 2i) moving forward and increasing thesize of this chamber, the initial .effect would be to create a reducedpressure condition (a slight vacuum) which would increase the rate offlow of the liquid entering theatomizer. The sudden stopping of theforward movement of the piston, as it contacts the plate I 8 would causean abrupt stoppage of the infiowing liquid and create a liquid hammer.This' would momentarily produce a positive pressure in the liquid and asa result the liquid would be forced through the now open liquid orificeas a small solid stream with most undesired precipitation on lwhatevermay be located below the atomizer. But this sort of liquid discharge isentirely avoided in the arrangement of the improved atomizer.

As the piston Z moves forward the space in the chamber i911 between therear end of the pis: ton and the sleeve nut 3S of course becomes largerand this increase in size momentarily reduces the pressure therein. Thischange in pressure is not effective on the liquid supply because theinlet Id is promptly closed as the piston moves forward. But the reducedpressure in the chamber lz' enables the atmospheric pressure outside theatomizer to force some of the liquid in the piston rearward from 'thechamber 20c through the annular space 2th around the cleaning rod 28 andinto the increased space of the chamber lili behind the piston. Thus thedischarge of any liquid from the nozzle is im'- mediately arrestedbecause the liquid in the forward stem 2te of the nozzle is likewiseforced backward toward the main passageway 20c in the piston by thepressure of the outside atmosphere.

, Thus there is no precipitation or drip from Athe atomizer when it isrendered inactive.

Upon the fluid pressure being again turned on, there is no forwardmovement of the liquid until the piston is forced backward. This ofcourse decreases the space vof the chamber |01' behind the piston andsome of the water standing therein is forced forward into the main passsageway 2do of the piston and also forward into the discharge stem 26oof the nozzle. But by the time this liquid reaches the end of the nozzlethe annular space Iz is open and the annular fluid stream is nowing andready to effect atomization of the water. Thus there is likewise noprecipitation or dripping from the atomizer when it is put in operation.

The only liquid discharge from the atomizer is in the form of finelyatomized particles which are projected into the atmosphere in the formof a very fine and highly desirable fog.

I claim:

l. An atomizer comprising a casing having a chamber at one end thereofconnected with a supply of iiuid under pressure greater than atmospheriopressure and having a fixed discharge orifice at one end of saidchamber; an element movable within the casing separating the internalspace thereof into said chamber for the duid adjacent said orince and asecond chamber for liquid remote therefrom, the second said chamberbeing connected with a supply of liquid;

said element having a nozzle with a continuously open outlet at the endadjacent said fixed orice and having a longitudinal passageway throughsaid element between said outlet and the said second chamber; an inletin the side wall of the casing connected with the liquid supply; a crosspassageway in said element intermediate of its ends and adapted toconnect said longitudinal passageway with said liquid inlet; saidelement being moved by the pressure oi said iiuid to position the saidcontinuously open outlet in atomizing relation with said fixed oriee andto position the cross passageway in iiow relation with the said inletfor the liquid; the ow of the uid under pressure greater thanatmospheric pressure past the said nozzle outlet creating a pressureless than atmospheric pressure within the passageways of said movableelement and within said second chamber whereby the liquid flows intosaid passageways and said second chamber and is also discharged fromsaid continuously open outlet; and spring means eiective upon shuttingoi said uid pressure to move said element to close said fixed orificeand said liquid inlet to said casing; the last said movement of theelement causing enlargement oi the said second chamber with consequentfurther reduction of pressure therein below atmospheric pres-- surewhereby the atmospheric pressure outside said continuously open outletnieves the liquid in said element near its outlet and in its saidlongitudinal passageway toward said second chamber.

v2. An atomizer comprising a casing having an inlet connected with asupply of iluid under pressure, a second inlet connected with a supplyof liquid, and a discharge orifice at one end; an element movable insaid casing having a continuously open nozzle at one end with its outletconcentrically arranged with respect to said orice; a main passagewayextending from said nozzle through said element to the opposite endthereof with a branch passageway therefrom for register With the saidliquid inlet; the said element being moved by the fluid pressure toposition said nozzle outlet and said orifice in atomizing relationwhereby the flow of iiuid past the nozzle outlet draws the liquidthrough the said passageways from the said liquid supply for atomizingdischarge; and means for moving said element upon reduction of saidfluid pressure to close the orice with said nozzle and move the saidbranch passageway out of register with the liquid inlet whereby thelatter is closed by the said element; the last said movement of theelement creating a suction at its said opposite end which is transmittedthrough the main passage- Way to eiect withdrawal of the liquid backwardfrom the nozzle outlet.

3. An atomizer comprising a lcylindrical casing having a chamber at oneend thereof with an inlet thereto for fluid under pressure and adischarge orifice therefrom; a second chamber near the opposite end ofsaid casing; an inlet in the side Wall of said casing between saidchambers for the liquid to be atomized; a piston slideable in saidcasing and constituting a movable wall between said chambers; acontinuously open nozzle at one end of said piston with its outletconcentrically arranged with respect to said orfice; a longitudinalpassageway through said piston from chamber to chamber having a sidepassageway therefrom for register with said liquid inlet; a cylindricalportion on said piston rearward of said side passageway cutting oficonnection between said liquid inlet and said second chamber;saidrpiston being moved by the uid under pressure to position saidnozzle in atomizing relation with said orifice and said branchpassageway in register with the uid inlet for atomizing discharge of theliquid; and means for moving said piston upon reduction of said uidpressure to close the orice, move the branch passage out of register theliquid inlet and move the said cylindrical portion of the piston inclosing relation to' said liquid inlet; the last said movement of saidpiston effecting enlargement of the said second chamber and therebycreating suction in the passageway of the piston to effect withdrawal ofthe liquid away from the nozzle outlet.

ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of V:record in the lile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,041,787 Henry Oct. 22, 19122,173,072 Loepsinger Sept. 12, 1939 2,179,184 Hodge Nov. 7, 19392,186,214 Simon Jan. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 86,079Austria Oct. 25, 1921 664,686 France Apr. 23, 1929

